Ski pole



May 10, 1938; H. o. POTTER 2,117,010

SKI POLE Filed Aug. 20, 1936 W "INVENTOR ATTQRNEYJ Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKI POLE.

Harry 0. Potter, Lake Placid, N. Y.

Application August 20, 1936, Serial No. 96,943

This invention relates to a ski pole that is light, strong and safe and convenient to use. In carrying out the invention a hollow aluminum rod is used for the pole and a wood insert runs through the entire length of the pole for strengthening the same without adding materially to the weight thereof. A safe and comfortable handle is provided at one end of the ski pole and a spud is provided at the other end that is securely attached to the pole and is so shaped that the danger of its sticking or becoming caught in the snow or ice is avoided. Also, a wheel or ring is provided for the pole, the plane of which can be turned into all positions at angles to the pole 15 without causing undue wear to the fastening straps.

The invention will be understood from the description in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side view partly broken away, showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the ring, showing the pole in section; and Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the lower end of the pole and the spud.

In the drawing, reference character I indicates a metal tube for the ski pole, which is made of aluminum so as to give strength and still be light. A rod or core 2 of wood is inserted in the tube I and extends from one end thereof to the other. This rod or core is preferably made of cedar, as cedar is comparatively light and can be procured in long lengths free from knots. The combination of the aluminum rod and cedar core has been found to be particularly useful for a ski pole, because the pole is light and very strong, and, in addition, if the pole is bent it can be straightened out without breaking the metal because the Wooden core prevents the sides from collapsing at the bend and also prevents the bend 40 from being at a sharp angle.

The rubber grip 3, consisting of a short tube of rubber, is applied to the upper end of the pole and is advantageous, both because the hand of the user does not slip and the rubber also insulates the hand from the metal tube. A leather strap 4 is provided and a leather ring 5 is used to help keep the strap 4 connected tothe pole. One end 6 of the strap 4 passes under the ring 5 between it and the outer surface of the pole. The end 50 then passes transversely across the upper end of the pole and downwardly between the ring 5 and the other side of the pole, leaving a loop, as indicated at I. The loop is made of wider leather for comfort to the wrist of the user. The other end of the strap 4 passes under the ring 5, as

indicated at 8. A rivet 9 passes through the ring 5 at one side and through the overlapping ends of it at the other side of the pole. This rivet also passes through the end 6 of the strap 4 near the end thereof and at an intermediate portion 5 thereof, and also passes through the other end 8 of the strap 4. This rivet 9 also passes through the grip 3, metal tube I and wooden rod 2, thus securing these elements against displacement.

A spud I0 is provided for the lower end of the 10 pole. This spud is made tapering with four sides. This shape of spud has been found to be especially advantageous. It has decidedly less tendency to stick in ice or other materials, as the four sided tapering spud acts as a Wedge and is easily released without interposing an appreciable drag to weary the user. The upper end of the spud I0 is screw threaded, as indicated at II, and extends into the lower end of the wooden core 2. A shoulder I2 is provided on the spud I0 and a washer I 3 is interposed between this shoulder and the lower ends of the tube I and rod 2 to prevent the spud from being driven into the pole.

A ski ring I5 is provided, which may be made of rattan for example. A leather thong I6 extends from one side of the ring I5 across to the other side thereof. It passes around the ring at opposite sides and its ends overlap, as shown in dotted lines at I6 and I6". The thong I6 lies for the most part in planes parallel to the plane of the ring I5, except where it passes the pole. Where the thong I6 passes the pole it is turned vertically and different portions thereof lie on opposite sides of the pole fiat against the same, so that there is very little wear because a very large surface of the thong is in contact with the pole. A holding rivet I8 passes through the overlapping ends I6' and I6" of the thong I6.

A second thong H, which is like the thong I6, is applied to the ring and pole, but is located at right angles to the thong I6.

Two rivets I9 pass through each thong I6 and I1 approximately mid-way between the ring I5 and the pole I. A leather thong 20, that is narrower than the leather of the thongs I6 and I1, is woven with the ring I5 and across thongs l6 and IT, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The ends of the thong 20 are fastened to the ring I5 in any convenient way and the loops of the thong 20 which pass over the ring I5 may be kept in place, for example by pins or fasteners 20'.

A wide strap 25, which is preferably made of leather, is provided for keeping the wheel I5 in place on the pole I. This strap 25 is slit at the middle, as shown at 26, and the pole I passes through this slit. The portions of the strap 25 beyond the slit are passed around the thongs l6 and I1 and extend downwardly beyond them in contact with the pole. The ends of these portions are riveted to the pole by means of a rivet 28, which passes through them and the pole.

I claim:

1. A ski pole comprising a hollow metal tube, a rod of wood fitting in said tube and extending substantially from one end thereof to the other, a cross pin retaining said rod in said tube, a spud screwed into the end of said rod and having a shoulder thereon, the lower ends of said rod and tube terminating in the same plane, and a metal washer interposed between said shoulder and said lower ends.

2. A ski pole comprising a hollow aluminum tube, a rod of cedar fitting in said tube and extending substantially from one end thereof to the other, a cross pin retaining said rod in said tube, a spud screwed into the end of said rod and having a shoulder thereon, the lower ends 01' said rod and tube terminating in the same plane, and a metal washer interposed between said shoulder and said lower ends.

3. A ski pole wheel comprising a ring, two layer thongs passing diametrically across said ring with said pole contacting with the side of each layer, a single holding strap for said wheel having a slit therein through which said pole passes, and a rivet for attaching the ends of said strap to said pole.

4. A ski pole wheel comprising a ring, twolayer thongs passing diametrically across said ring with said pole contacting with the side of each layer, a single holding strap for said wheel having a slit therein through which said pole passes, and a narrower thong woven with said ring and thongs.

HARRY 0. POTTER. 

